Transport device having liquid resistance apparatus

ABSTRACT

A transport device structured to carry an animal includes a first component having a handle and a second component having a base and at least a first wall. The first component is structured to be located on the second component to form an enclosed region situated generally between the first and second components. The transport device also includes a cushion apparatus situated adjacent at least one of the base and the at least a first wall and a liquid resistance apparatus located on the second component and that is structured to resist penetration of a liquid from an interior region of the transport device to an exterior region of the transport device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from and claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/790,651, filed Mar. 15, 2013.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The disclosed concept pertains generally to transport devices, and moreparticularly to transport devices that resist penetration of a liquidfrom an interior region to an exterior region of the transport device.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Transport devices, particularly those that transport an animal, are wellknown. However, moisture from an interior region of known transportdevices can appear at an exterior region of the transport devices, whichis undesirable.

There is room for improvement in transport devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These needs and others are met by embodiments of the disclosed conceptin which a liquid resistance apparatus is structured to resistpenetration of a liquid from an interior region of an animal carrier toan exterior region thereof.

In accordance with one aspect of the disclosed concept, a transportdevice structured to carry an animal can be generally stated asincluding a first component comprising a handle, a second componentcomprising a base and at least a first wall, the first component beingstructured to be disposed on the second component to form an enclosedregion situated generally between the first component and the secondcomponent. The transport device further comprises a cushion apparatussituated adjacent at least one of the base and the at least a firstwall; and a liquid resistance apparatus disposed on the second componentand being structured to resist penetration of a liquid from an interiorregion of the transport device to an exterior region of the transportdevice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full understanding of the disclosed concept can be gained from thefollowing description of the preferred embodiments when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a transport device having a liquidresistance apparatus in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of thedisclosed concept.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the transport device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a cushion apparatus and enclosure piece ofthe transport device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is another exploded view of the cushion apparatus and enclosurepiece of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a support pad of the transport device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the support pad of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the enclosure piece of FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a section view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7 showing a raisedrim and floor element.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As will be discussed below, a transport device 2 in accordance with thedisclosed and claimed concept can advantageously resist penetration of aliquid from an interior region 30 thereof to an exterior region 32thereof by including a liquid resistance apparatus 28.

The disclosed concept is described in association with transport devicesthat are structured to carry animals. FIG. 1 shows the improvedtransport device 2, which is structured to carry an animal. Thenon-limiting embodiment shows a first component that is a mesh cap 6.The mesh cap 6 includes a handle 8 and is coupled to a second componentthat is an enclosure piece 12. The mesh cap 6 may include the handle 8,a strap (not shown), or any other suitable mechanism allowing thetransport device 2 to be carried. The mesh cap 6 and enclosure piece 12are structured to be coupled by a separable fastener 16 which may be,for example and without limitation, a zipper mechanism (schematicallyshown with double dashed lines in FIG. 1).

Seen in FIG. 2, the mesh cap 6 is structured to be coupled to theenclosure piece 12 such that an enclosed region 14 is formedtherebetween. FIG. 3 shows the enclosure piece 12 having a base 18 andat least a first wall 20, and also shows a cushion apparatus 22 for ananimal to sit or lie on. The cushion apparatus 22 comprises a lateralpad 24 and a support pad 26 and is depicted herein as being situatedadjacent both the base 18 and the at least a first wall 20.Additionally, the transport device 2 includes a liquid resistanceapparatus 28 disposed on the enclosure piece 12 that is structured toresist the penetration of a liquid from an interior region 30, seen inFIG. 2, to an exterior region 32 of the transport device 2.

In accordance with one aspect of the disclosed concept, and as will beset forth in greater detail below, the liquid resistance apparatus 28may include one or more liquid resistance laminae 34, 36, 38, each ofwhich is structured to resist the penetration of a liquid such as, forexample and without limitation, urine, from the interior region 30 tothe exterior region 32 of the transport device 2. It is within the scopeof the disclosed concept for the liquid resistance laminae 34, 36, 38 tobe made of any material suitable to resist the penetration of a liquid.The liquid resistance laminae 34, 36, 38 may, for example and withoutlimitation, be made of a cloth material and a polymer material coated onthe cloth material. Known cloth materials have been coated with polymermaterials, but only contain an amount of the polymer material sufficientto hold the cloth material together for cutting and sewing. As such,they do not resist penetration of a liquid to an exterior region 32.

The liquid resistance laminae 34, 36, 38 of the instant invention may beformed of a cloth material that has received multiple coats of a polymermaterial such that the liquid resistance laminae 34, 36, 38 resist thepenetration of a liquid. It may also be enough for the liquid resistancelaminae 34, 36, 38 to be formed from the cloth material that hasreceived only a single coat of the polymer material, provided the singlecoat is otherwise of sufficient thickness to make the liquid resistancelaminae 34, 36, 38 resistant to the penetration of a liquid. The clothmaterial may be, for example and without limitation, nylon or otherappropriate material. The polymer material may be, for example andwithout limitation, PVC or polyurethane.

FIG. 3 illustrates a first liquid resistance lamina 34 and a secondliquid resistance lamina 36. The first liquid resistance lamina 34 issituated adjacent a surface 40 of the at least a first wall 20 thatfaces the enclosed region 14. Referring to FIG. 3, the first liquidresistance lamina 34 may be affixed to the at least a first wall 20 withadhesives or otherwise. However, it is within the scope of the disclosedconcept for the first liquid resistance lamina 34 to not be affixed tothe at least a first wall 20.

The second liquid resistance lamina 36 is located on the lateral pad 24,which is structured to be located on the enclosure piece 12. The lateralpad 24 has a layer of padding material internal thereto, and further hasa first surface 42 facing generally toward the enclosed region 14.Schematically shown in FIGS. 2-4, the first surface 42 of the lateralpad 24 is a surface of a cover element which may be made of lambskin. Itwill also be appreciated that the lateral pad 24 may be made of anymaterial suitable to provide a comfortable surface for an animal to sitor lie on. The lateral pad 24 also has a second surface 44 opposite thefirst surface 42, and that is an external surface of the second liquidresistance lamina 36. Also, schematically shown with double dashed linesin FIG. 2, the lateral pad 24 is structured to be coupled to theenclosure piece 12 by a separable fastener 46 which may be, for exampleand without limitation, a zipper mechanism.

The first surface 42 of the lateral pad 24 generally faces toward theenclosed region 14, whereas the second surface 44, i.e., the secondliquid resistance lamina 36 situated on the lateral pad 24, facesgenerally in an opposite direction which, in the depicted exemplaryembodiment, is generally toward the at least a first wall 20 of theenclosure piece 12. Seen in FIG. 4, a bottom portion 48 of the secondliquid resistance lamina 36 extends inboard of a lateral edge 64 andterminates at a hole 50 formed in the portion 48 of the second liquidresistance lamina 36. The purpose of this feature is discussed below,and it is noted that in other embodiments the second liquid resistancelamina 36 may not include the hole 50 and still be within the scope ofthe disclosed concept. The second liquid resistance lamina 36 is affixedto the lateral pad 24, however it is within the scope of the disclosedconcept for the second liquid resistance lamina 36 to not be affixed tothe lateral pad 24.

The liquid resistance apparatus also comprises a third liquid resistancelamina 38 in the form of a cover portion of the support pad 26. Thesupport pad 26 has a cushion element 52 that faces generally toward theenclosed region 14, seen in FIG. 2. The cushion element 52 has a coverportion that may be made of any material suitable to provide acomfortable surface for an animal to sit or lie on. Schematically shownin FIGS. 2-6, and as a non-limiting example, the cover portion is madeof lambskin. However, it is within the scope of the disclosed conceptfor the cover portion to be made of any material suitable for animal tosit or lie on.

The third liquid resistance lamina 38 faces generally away from theenclosed region 14. FIG. 5 illustrates a top view and FIG. 6 illustratesa side view of the support pad 26. The third liquid resistance lamina 38may be affixed to the support pad 26. However, it is within the scope ofthe disclosed concept for the third liquid resistance lamina 38 to notbe affixed to the support pad 26. The lateral pad 24 and the support pad26 potentially may be used individually or in combination withoutdeparting from the present concept.

In addition to the liquid resistance laminae 34, 36, 38, the base 18 ofthe transport device 2 comprises a floor element 56 and a raised rim 58that is located on the floor element, which can be said to be a part ofthe liquid resistance apparatus 28. FIG. 8 is a section view of aportion of the enclosure piece 12 shown in FIG. 7, and shows the raisedrim 58 located on the floor element 56. Together, the floor element 56and raised rim 58 resist the penetration of a liquid to the exteriorregion 32 of the transport device 2. Additionally, the enclosure piece12 may further comprise individual post elements 62 over which ananimal's weight is distributed.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosed concept, the liquidresistance apparatus 28 may employ the first liquid resistance lamina34, the second liquid resistance lamina 36, the third liquid resistancelamina 38, and the raised rim 58 and floor element 56, together or inany combination.

Seen in FIG. 4, the second liquid resistance lamina 36 includes thelateral edge 64 that is situated adjacent the base 18 when the transportdevice 2 is in an assembled state. When the hole 50 is used incombination with the raised rim 58 and floor element 56, then the hole50 directs a liquid, such as, for example and without limitation, urine,onto a central region 68 of the floor element 56. When this happens,liquid will not penetrate to the exterior region 32 of the transportdevice 2, and rather will be retained generally in the central region 68where it may evaporate, by way of example. Seen in FIG. 4, the hole 50is generally circular, although it is within the scope of the disclosedconcept for the hole to be other shapes (e.g., without limitation,rectangular).

While specific embodiments of the disclosed concept have been describedin detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatvarious modifications and alternatives to those details could bedeveloped in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure.Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to beillustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the disclosedconcept which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended andany and all equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A transport device structured to carry an animal,comprising: a first component comprising a handle: a second componentcomprising a base and at least a first wall, the first component beingstructured to be disposed on the second component to form an enclosedregion situated generally between the first and second components; acushion apparatus situated adjacent at least one of the base and the atleast a first wall; and a liquid resistance apparatus disposed on thesecond component and being structured to resist penetration of a liquidfrom an interior region of the transport device to an exterior region ofthe transport device, wherein the cushion apparatus comprises a lateralpad structured to be disposed on the second component, wherein theliquid resistance apparatus comprises a liquid resistance laminasituated adjacent the lateral pad, wherein the lateral pad has a firstsurface facing generally toward the enclosed region and a second surfaceopposite the first surface, wherein the liquid resistance lamina issituated adjacent the second surface, wherein the base comprises a floorelement, wherein the liquid resistance apparatus further comprises thefloor element and a raised rim disposed on the floor element, whereinthe liquid resistance lamina includes a lateral edge situated adjacentthe base, wherein a portion of the liquid resistance lamina extendsinboard of the lateral edge, the portion of the liquid resistance laminaterminating at a hole formed in the portion, the hole being structuredto direct a liquid onto a central region of the floor element, whereinthe lateral edge has a first perimeter; and wherein the base has secondperimeter substantially the same as the first perimeter.
 2. Thetransport device of claim 1 wherein the liquid resistance lamina isaffixed to the lateral pad.
 3. The transport device of claim 1 whereinthe cushion apparatus further comprises a support pad, and wherein theliquid resistance apparatus further comprises another liquid resistancelamina situated adjacent the support pad, wherein the support pad has acushion element that faces generally toward the enclosed region, thesecond liquid resistance lamina facing generally away from the enclosedregion.
 4. The transport device of claim 3 wherein the liquid resistanceapparatus further comprises a further liquid resistance lamina situatedadjacent the at least a first wall and facing generally toward theenclosed region.
 5. The transport device of claim 1 wherein the liquidresistance lamina is comprised of a cloth material having a polymermaterial thereon that is structured to resist penetration of a liquidthrough the liquid resistance lamina.
 6. A transport device structuredto carry an animal, comprising: a first component comprising a handle; asecond component comprising a base and a wall, the first component beingstructured to be disposed on the second component to form an enclosedregion situated generally between the first and second components: acushion apparatus situated adjacent at least one of the base and thewall, the cushion apparatus comprising a lateral pad and a support padremovably disposed on the lateral pad; and a liquid resistance apparatusdisposed on the second component and being structured to resistpenetration of a liquid from an interior region of the transport deviceto an exterior region of the transport device, wherein the liquidresistance apparatus comprises a first liquid resistance lamina and asecond liquid resistance lamina; wherein the first liquid resistancelamina is coupled to the support pad; wherein the second liquidresistance lamina is coupled to the lateral pad; wherein the secondliquid resistance lamina includes a lateral edge situated adjacent thebase; wherein a portion of the second liquid resistance lamina extendsinboard of the lateral edge; and wherein the first liquid resistancelamina faces the portion of the second liquid resistance lamina thatextends inboard of the lateral edge.
 7. The transport device of claim 6wherein the base comprises a floor element, and wherein the liquidresistance apparatus further comprises the floor element and a raisedrim disposed on the floor element.
 8. The transport device of claim 7wherein the the portion of the second liquid resistance lamina thatextends inboard of the lateral edge terminates at a hole formed in theportion of the second liquid resistance lamina that extends inboard ofthe lateral edge, the hole being structured to direct a liquid onto acentral region of the floor element.
 9. The transport device of claim 6wherein the support pad comprises a cushion element that faces generallytoward the enclosed region, and wherein the first liquid resistancelamina faces generally away from the enclosed region.
 10. The transportdevice of claim 6 wherein the liquid resistance apparatus furthercomprises a third liquid resistance lamina situated adjacent the walland that faces generally toward the enclosed region.